Jeff Birchfield

BLOUNTVILLE — It was a rough day for James Stewart at the Red Bull Tennessee National to cap off a rough week.

Stewart fell on the holeshot at both motos and then fell again midway through the race in the second moto, taking away any chance the veteran had of winning.

Earlier in the week, Stewart was suspended by the FIM (Federation of International Motorcyclists) for a failed a drug test back in April. However since the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Series is governed by the AMA, Stewart was allowed to finsh the outdoor season.

Despite his troubles staying up on the bike, Stewart managed to finish fifth in the first moto and 11th in the second moto for an eighth-place overall.

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Ken Roczen has taken to the larger 450 bikes like a duck to water.

After moving up from the 250 class last season, Roczen won Saturday for his third win of the season.

“I’ve always liked the bigger bikes better,” he said. “I’m the kind of rider who uses the torque of the bike and I like riding the bigger bikes in any type of conditions.”

He now holds a 16-point lead in the Lucas Oil point standings over his teammate and two-time national champion Ryan Dungey.

Stewart is third with 187 points, only one point ahead of Trey Canard.

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Eli Tomac made a strong return to the Lucas Oil Pro Series on Saturday. The Colorado rider for the GEICO Honda team missed the first four events of the season with a collarbone injury. He admitted to getting bored at home and becoming frustrated with not being part of the action.

“When you’re at home watching the races, it drives you crazy,” Tomac said. “You’re watching the other guys steal your show. Today was what I was hoping for, to get on the podium. You can tell those top-two guys were dialed in and in great shape. The second moto, I got a little fatigued.”

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Mike Brown, the motocross legend from Johnson City, was in the pits Saturday. Brown, a former 125 AMA National Champion, wanted to race in the Tennessee National, but his new manufacturer, Husqvarna, didn’t have a bike ready for the Lucas Oil Pro Championship.

Brown did, however, fill a new role as a television analyst. He also hinted he would like to race in next year’s Tennessee National and possibly use it as his final race.

In the meantime, the 42-year-old rider continues to race in EnduroCross events, both here and abroad. Brown is a two-time X Games gold medalist and competed in the most recent version of the X Games in Texas earlier this month.